The 4400: "The Great Leap Forward" AdvanceReview

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Does the Season 4 finale deliver?

By Eric Goldman

The 4400: Season 4 comes to a conclusion this week, and while last week's episode was certainly busy, you haven't seen anything yet, as "The Great Leap Forward" puts more into an hour than most shows put into four episodes. Last week left off with Tom, currently one of the Marked, shot by Diana. Revealing whether Tom ultimately lives or dies would be unfair, but this I can tell you; Tom isn't in great shape, but he's still among the living as the episode begins, and Joel Gretsch gives an excellent performance that really shows how great he can be.

Meanwhile Isabelle has brought Jordan to the Marked, but finds they're not done with her yet, as they give her an even more difficult assignment that will test her in extreme ways. But the most important plotline actually centers around Danny, who last we saw, was with his mom, who was looking&#Array; not well. Danny is more than a little slow on the uptake that maybe he's responsible for this, but once more information is gleaned about what's going on, the situation becomes alarming and Danny becomes a crucial figure.

There are some tense opening scenes in a hospital in the episode, that soon give way to something bigger. In fact, the scope of the episode is unlike anything the show has ever done before. The 4400 doesn't actually have the budget to portray everything we learn happens in this episode, but still, they get the point across in a few scenes that work well to represent something larger than we're seeing. There are a few semi-silly moments along the way, including a couple of fight scenes that don't have the impact they're going for, but overall, this is a case of science fiction done very well.

By the end of this episode, a lot has changed. The title of this episode, "The Great Leap Forward", is very appropriate, because the entire landscape of the series seems to have shifted fundamentally. Characters die, characters switch sides, and characters&#Array; well, that would be telling. The final few minutes are especially effective. A scene involving three of the main characters trying to find solace together, while standing in a graveyard, is one of the most touching The 4400 has ever done. This is followed by a montage that is filled with moments that run the gamut of emotions, from amusing to chilling. While no official word has been given on a renewal for The 4400 at the moment, this is a season finale that screams out "What happens next?!" So USA, hopefully you're giving us the answer next year.